Orange official calls Ivory Coast telecoms fire act of 'sabotage'

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - A fire and other damage last month at a facility of French telecoms group Orange in Ivory Coast appears to have been an act of professional "sabotage", a top company official said late on Tuesday.

The fire broke out early on April 30 at a technical centre in the commercial capital Abidjan's central Plateau district, disrupting service for weeks at the site of a submarine network cable that digitally connects the country with the rest of the world.

Initial findings suggest that the incident was a targeted assault, said Mamadou Bamba, general director of Orange Cote d’Ivoire. A ladder was found at the scene and a key cable was cut, he said, suggesting the attackers had some specialised knowledge.

"We have been victims of sabotage. This sabotage was perpetrated against our facilities", said Bamba. "We have lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor and their service is at work to determine those responsible for this incident".